Apparatus for sponging and refinishing cloth.



E. F. RUMMLBR. APPARATUS FOR. SPQNGING AND RBPINISHING CLOTH.

APPLICATION TILED APB..19, 1912.

Patented Feb. 3, 19%

I11 V611 tor.-

iunrrnp s'rArrEs Parana: OFFICE.

EDGAR F. RUMMLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO SMITH, GRAY & CO., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR SPONQING' AND REFINISHIN G CLOTH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3, 1914.

Application filed April 19,1912. Serial No. 691,967;

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDGAR F. RUMMLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elmhurst, in the borough of Queens, city of New York, county of Queens, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Sponging and Refinishing Cloth, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My'invention relates to an apparatus for sponging and finishing cloth in the piece, and more particularly to an apparatus adapted for use in shrinking cloth and in refinishing it preparatory to cutting it for the manufacture of clothing.

Heretofore it has been the general practice in sponging and refinishing cloth to first wet or dampen the cloth in the piece and thereafter lay sections of the piece upon a table having a metal top heated by means of steam coils, for a length of time sufficient to remove all of the moisture from the cloth. After this section had been dried to the desired extent, it was removed from the table and the next section of equal length laid thereon, this operation being repeated until the entire length of the piece had been dried and shrunk. To insure uniformit} in the conditioning of the entire piece, it was necessary that the length of time during which each section remained on the table should he the same as every other, and constant attention was required to avoid such a Variance of time as would result in improperly or unevenly shrunken sections of the piece. .-\.s each section was removed from the table, it was permitted to lie in folds until the entire piece was shrunk, and after this it was necessary to refinish the cloth in a separate machine before cutting up for garments. If in shrinking any section were allowed to re main too long on the table, this section would be damaged in a degree which would make it prartieall worthless.

To obviate the conditions in the method above referred to, it has been endeavored to dry an entire piece of cloth simultaneously by looping it withina drying box, the cloth after being shrunk, being removed from the box and refinished. This practice, however, is not generally followed, the drying table being more generally used.

lVith these conditions in mind the main fobject of my invention is to provide an appara-tus for sponging and refinishing'cloth by a. continuous treatment, whereby succeeding portions of apreviously dampened piece of cloth will 'be progressively subjected to the action ofa dry heat for a uniform length of time so as to gradually and uniformly shrink every portion of the piece to the maximum extent, and immediately after the shrinking process upon each portion of the cloth is completed, and while it is-still warm, subjecting it to such treatment as will automatically refinish the cloth without the necessity for further handling.

' A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein a substantially continuously moved piece of cloth will have the moisture gradually removed from succeeding portions thereof with the progressive movement of the cloth through an elongated heating box,'and wherein the cloth will be subjected to such treatment at an interval when the moisture has been entirely removed therefrom, as will result in a refinishing of each section of the piece as it is completely shrunk and before it has been permitted to cool.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus by means of which a piece of cloth may be gradually fed across a heating box without contact with the heating means, and in a manner to permit that contraction of the cloth incidental to the shrinkage occur ring during the progress of the cloth.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the piece of cloth immediately upon leaving the heating box will be tightly rewound while still heated.

A still further object isv vto provide an apparatus of this character wherein the cloth will be'conveyed across the heating box bya conveyer which will not exertany substantial stress upon the cloth thereupon, thus leaving the cloth free to contract during the shrinking operation while passing over the heating box.

A still further object is to provide an up paratus which will operate continuously in conveying the cloth across the heating box ataspeed which will cause the gradual evaporation of all of the moisture therein and the completion of the shrinking of the cloth substantially simultaneously with the cloth leaving the box.

A still further object is to provide' an apparatus of this character wherein the speed of travel of the conveyer may be varied to adapt the apparatus to cloths of different weights.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the conveyer and the rewinding mechanism will hear such relation to each other as to insure the application of sufficient pressure to the heated cloth as it is being rewound, to result in the refinishing of the cloth before it leaves the apparatus.

A still further object is to provide in an apparatus of this character, a conveyor mechanism having sections thereof r0ughened so as to cause the end of the cloth to be gripped thereby to initiate the feed thereof from the dampened roll.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein a flexible conveyer may be used in a manner to permit. the 'cloth thereon to assume any form, and

prevent such conditions as would interfere.

with the free shrinking of the cloth. And a still further object is to provide an appara tus of this character wherein after the roll of dampened cloth has been mounted therein and the machine has been set in operation, the machine itself will operate automatically in a manner to shrink the entire roll and refinish the same without requiring any further attention beyond the removal of the shrunken cloth.

The invention consists in the novel method or art of sponging and refinishing cloth, and the novel features of construction and combination of parts of an apparatus for practising said method or art, all as hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings :Figure 1 is a. longitudinal section of an apparatus used in practising mv improved method or art; and Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with sections broken away to disclose the relation of parts.

Like letters refer to like parts in both of the said views.

In the practice of my invention, I first dampen a piece of cloth in any desired manner so as to impart to it a degree of saturation uniform throughout, which cloth after being so dampened is preferably rolled to prevent evaporation and afford greater convenience in handling. I then take the end of the roll of cloth and pass it and succeeding portions of the cloth progressively and unidirectionally over an elongated source of dry heat in a manner to gradually "and progressively remove the moisture from the cloth while it is in motion. In this manner each portion of the cloth is treated under exactly the same conditions, and the shrinking process is completed only as each portion passes from the effective range of the dry heat. The cloth is moved very slowly to afford sufficient time to accomplish its thorough drying and resultant shrinkage, and the drying and shrinking are gradual as to every portion of the piece, each portion being subjected to the action of the heat only for a period sufficient to remove all of the moisture and thus secure the maximum shrinkage. As the cloth is removed from the effective range of the dry heat and while it is still warm therefrom, I rewind it in a compact roll, subjecting it to pressure as it is being rewound, andallow the cloth to cool while it is in the roll. In actual practice, I have demonstrated that by so treating the cloth, the nap is laid sufficiently to give to the cloth a satisfactory finish so that when cooled, it may be removed directly to the cutting tables. I thus eliminate the necessity for refinishing by methods now in use, and not only economize in the cost of preparing the cloth for the cutting table, but secure, with a minimum expenditure of time and labor, a satisfactory finish in the cloth.

The apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings consists of an elongated heat ing box a, having therein a series of steam coils 6, through which is caused to flow steam under low pressure so as to avoid the presence of excessively high temperatures. This box is closed upon the bottom and at the sides. At the opposite ends of the box (I, are the fran'ics (.3 (Z, the former of which is provided with a standard 0 in which is adapted to be detachably mounted the trunnions of a shaft f upon which a. previously semi-saturated or dampened piece of cloth is rolled. Also carried by the frame 0 are a plurality of idler rollers g which serve as guides for a continuous flexible conveyer h which partially closes the top of the box a and in addition to carrying the cloth slowly across the said box, acts as a shield to prevent possible contact of the cloth with the coils Z).

The conveyer it is driven at very low speed by means of a roughened driving roller 11 mounted upon the frame (Z, which roller is driven through a suitable speed reducing mechanism from the electric motor 7'. lVith cloths differing in weight, it is necessary to vary the speed of travel of the conveyer in order to afford that period of time during which the cloth is traversing above the heating box, necessary to remove all of the moisture from the cloth and to give the maximum shrinkage thereto. In the apparatus shown in the drawings, the speed controlling mechanism for the driving power of the conveyer it is an ordinary rheostat l' by means of which the speed of the motor j may be varied. \Vhile an electric motor drive with rhcostat control is desirable as being good shop practice, I do not intend to limit myself to any particular form of power. p

The conveyer belt /2 passes about the drivmg roller 1.1 and guided in ts movementbeneath the box'u by suitableidler rollers Z.

To increase the effective utilization of the heat from the coils Z) in drying the cloth, I use a flexible fabric 1mithe'conveyer belt h, which material has the advantage of absorbmg moisture from the cloth, thus permitting .the moisture in the cloth to radiate in all directions, and of yielding transversely with the cloth as it shrinks, if the adhesion of the cloth to the conveyor is sufficiently great to prevent such movement of the cloth independently of said belt. In making the conveyer belt. I preferably select a smooth, hard textile fabric to minimize such adhesion, and provide sections of softer material as 72 adapted to receive the end of the I and the box aare standards on having elongated forked upper ends adapted to receive the trunnions of a weighted rewinding roller n: and mounted in the standards m below said forks is a presser roller 0 oppositely disposed as to, and adapted to sustain the load of, the rewinding roller 71 and the cloth as it is being rewo-und thereon. The conveyer it passes between the roller n 0 and thence upwardlyft-o the driving roller 77 which occupies a higher plane than said roller 0.

The "standards a and m are spaced considerable 'distahce apart, the box a occupying substantially the entire distance between these parts. The' conveyor belt /1. is of a width to substantially close the entire top of the box a thus constituting a traveling top therefor adapted to receive the cloth and convey it along the length of the box.

The cloth to be dried. shrunk and refinished is indicated at 7).

The operation of the herein described apparatus is substantially as follows:The roll of cloth prisitirsl' dampened in any desired manner and wound upon the roller f, and the trunnions of this roller are mounted in the hearings in the standards The circuit to the motor is then closed, rotating the shaft i at low speed and imparting a h and if the adhesion between the belt andv this end is not sufficient to hold the cloth thereon, slippage will occur between the belt and the cloth until a section b of roughened material of the belt it engages the cloth whereupon the cloth will be fed from its roll by, and simultaneously with, the belt it upon which it lies. As each portion of the cloth progresses along the box a itwill be gradually dried and shrunk, the different portions of the -cloth being progressively bro-ught to the desired dry state. The supports a will prevent the sagging of the belt at any point in a manner to permit it to contact with the steam coils 6, thus causing the drying of the cloth through the heat radiated from said coils. The absorbent nature of the belth will cause it to take up some of the moisture ofthe cloth, and this moisture will be driven from the belt by the dry heat, thus causing the moisture to radiate in all directions andv not limiting such evaporation to the upper surface of the cloth. As the cloth progresses along the length of the box a, it will shrink laterally, and if any adhesion occurs between the cloth and the belt which prevents slippage of the former upon the latter, the belt itself is free to give laterally so that there is always a" free shrinkage of the cloth. The speed of the motor 7' is so regulated as tocause all of the moisture to be driven from the cloth as it approaches the standards mand its weighted roller. As the dry cloth while still heated, passes between the rollers n 0, the upward tendency of the belt h will press the cloth firmly against the roller 92, the weight of which will exert sufficient pressure to practically iron the cloth as it is rolled upon the roller n. The roller n is free to move upwardlyin the standards mas the roll increases in diameter. In starting therewinding operation, it is merely necessary to wrap the forward end of the cloth aboutthe roller 11. This roller also serves to keep the belt 72 fairly taut as it passes over the heating box. As the belt 71- passes over the roller i, any longitudinal wrinkles therein, due to .the transverse movement of the cloth in shrinking, will be removed'by the ribs 2" on this roller, which ribs. together with the roughened surface of this roller, will serve to afford the proper grip to insure the continuous feeding movement of the belt.

It being merely necessary to start the feeding movement of the cloth with the belt,

and the duration of the time during which the cloth is subjected to the action of the heatfrom the box a being controlled by the speed of the belt 11, the machine requires claim as new anddesire to have protected will cool without possibility of injury to the cloth by reason of'this neglect.

I have found in practice, that the mere rewinding of the cloth in the manner described, immediately after it'has been shrunk and while it is still heated, accomplishes a.

highly satisfactory refinishing of the goods so that they may be removed directly from the machine to the cutting tables without further treatment. Experience has also demonstrated that by continuously and slowly moving the dampened cloth through the heat from the heating box, and in one direction, the maximum shrinkage of the cloth may be secured, and there is no likelihood of injury to the cloth from the application of heat thereto for too great a length of time.

It is not my intention to limit the inven tion to the precise details of construction of the apparatus herein shown and described, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spiritfand scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, what I by Letters Patent, is

1-. An apparatus for sponging and refinishing cloth embodying therein a support for a roll of dampened cloth, an elongated heating box extending from adjacent to said support, an endless belt passing over said heating box, said belt being adapted to support the cloth and. convey it through the heat raysradiating from said box, and means imparting a substantially continuous, slow movement to said belt.

2. An apparatus for sponging and retinishing cloth embodying therein a support for a roll of dampened cloth, an elongated heating box extending from adjacent to said supheating box, said belt being adapted to support the cloth and convey it through the heat rays radiating from said box, means imparting a substantially continuous, slow movement to said belt, and means whereby the speed of the feeding movement of said belt may be varied. f

at. An apparatus forsponging and refinishing cloth. embodying therein a support for a roll of dampened cloth, an elongated heating box extending from adjacent to said support, an endless belt passing over said heating box, said belt being adapted to support the cloth and convey it through the heat rays radiating from said box, said belt' being composed of a material to which the cloth will not readily adhere whereby the cloth will be moved over said heating boX and will be permitted to shrink freely, and means imparting a substantially continuous, slow movement to said belt.

5. An apparatus for sponging and refinishing cloth embodying therein a support fora roll of dampened cloth, an elongated heating box extending from adjacent to said support, an endless belt passing over said heating box, said" belt bein adapted to sup- 7 port the cloth and convey it through the heat rays radiating from said box, said belt being composed of a material to which the cloth will not readily adhere whereby the cloth will be moved over said heating box and will be permitted to shrink freely, and having a strip of material to which the cloth will adhere adapted to engage the free end of the roll of cloth, and means imparting a substantially continuous, slow movement to said belt. y

6. An apparatus forsponging and refinishing cloth embodying therein a support for a roll of dampened cloth, an elongated heating box extending from adjacent to said support, an endless belt passing over said heating box, said belt being adapted to sup port the cloth and convey it through the heat llO rays radiating from said box, means imparting a substantially continuous, slow movement to said belt, and a rewinding mecha-v nism adjacent to the end of said. box opposite said support, whereby the cloth upon leaving the box will be tightly wound.

7. An apparatus for sponging and refinishing cloth embodying therein a support for a roll of dampened cloth, an elongated heating box extending from adjacent to said support, an endless belt oftlexible material passingover said heating box, and means imparting a substantially continuous, slow movement to said belt, including therein a driving roller having a plurality of oppo.

sitelv pitched ribs thereon whereby said belt will be stretched laterally after leaving the heating box.

8. An apparatus for spoi'iging and retinishing cloth embodying therein a support for a roll of dampened cloth, an elongated heating b0; extending from adjacent to said support, an endless belt passing over said heating box, said belt being adapted to support the cloth and convey it through the heat rays radiating from said box, a rewinding mechanism adjacent to the end of said box opposite said support, comprising a fixed roller and a vertically movable weighted roller, between which said belt passes, a driving roller disposed above and beyond said last named rollers, whereby the cloth being rewound upon said weighted roller will be subjected to pressure from the weight of said roller and from the upward stress upon said 5 In witness whereof, I have hereto aflixed 20 my signature, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 11th day of April, 1912.

' EDGAR F. RUMMLER.

Witnesses F. BURNS, N. AICGARTHY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

